Overview & Reviews

Originally known as Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (Svenska Aircraft Company), Saab is a Swedish company that began manufacturing automobiles in 1949. The company's early designs placed an emphasis on aerodynamics that is reflective of its history as an aircraft manufacturer.

The first production Saab, the 92, boasted a lower coefficient of drag than many modern cars. The 93, unveiled in 1955, was powered by a three-cylinder, 33-horsepower engine, and featured the distinctive fastback profile that made early Saabs among the most recognizable cars on the road. By the time the '50s drew to a close, Saab's lineup had grown to include the 95 wagon (capable of seating up to seven) and the 93 750 Gran Turismo, the automaker's first series-built sports car.

The marque started the '60s with the introduction of its successful Saab 96. With a production run of 20 years, this was the car that made Saab a recognized presence in the international market. The decade also saw the launch of the Saab Sport coupe. Scoring numerous wins on the rally circuit, the coupe marked Saab as a force to be reckoned with. The Sport's success on the track inspired a name change; it later came to be known as the Saab Monte Carlo 850. The Saab Sonett II sports car, with its body of fiberglass-reinforced plastic, also made its debut during the '60s, as did the Saab 99, which was the first Saab to feature the manufacturer's trademark wraparound windshield.

In 1973, Saab gave birth to the 99 Combi Coupe. The car came to define the Saab brand; with its hatchback and fold-down rear seat it offered remarkable utility. By the end of the decade, Saab had rolled out the 99 Turbo, which was a forerunner in harnessing turbo technology for use in production cars. The company also introduced the Saab 900, which held the distinction of being the first car to offer a cabin air filter.

During the 1980s, Saab cars (especially the Turbo models) gained American popularity as young urban professionals (yuppies) sought them out. The decade saw the launch of the 900 Turbo, the 900 Turbo Aero (the world's first car to offer a 16-valve turbo engine), the 900 convertible and the Saab 9000, a larger four-door car available in hatchback, and later on, sedan body styles.

In 1990, General Motors bought half of Saab's automotive division. The decade saw the launch of a revamped 900; the car offered a bevy of cutting-edge safety features, including three rear three-point seatbelts and rear side-impact protection. By the time the '90s drew to a close, Saab had also unveiled the 9-5, a larger, premium four-door sedan that essentially replaced the 9000. The 9-5 offered a host of new technologies such as ventilated seats. It was also the first to offer Saab's active head restraints, a system designed to prevent whiplash injuries.

By the 2000s, General Motors had bought the other half of Saab Automobile. Despite the brand's position on the leading edge of safety technology, Saab's popularity in the U.S. and around the world waned as its product portfolio grew increasingly stale and reliant on GM for parts, platforms and design. New models like the 9-2X and the 9-7X were based on platforms borrowed from other brands -- Subaru and Chevrolet, respectively. Meanwhile, the 9-5 soldiered on and the second-generation 9-3 ditched its quirky hatchback body style in favor of a mainstream sedan design. The hope was to make the 9-3 more appealing to American car buyers, but ultimately it only served to remove the car's unique personality.

In the midst of General Motors' financial difficulties and eventual bankruptcy, Saab was viewed as a disposable, troubled asset and essentially cast away. With the financial assistance of a European bank and the Swedish government, Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg intended to purchase Saab with the promise of restructuring the brand and keeping production within Sweden. That deal fell through when Koenigsegg changed its mind about becoming involved with such a troubled company. Another niche-market supercar company, Spyker Cars, pursued the purchase of Saab. But that venture eventually failed as well and ultimately, at the end of 2011, Saab went into "wind-down" mode, filing for bankruptcy. In other words, Saab's future is still very much in limbo.

User Reviews:

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  Love my car! - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By jcp - March 13 - 3:36 pm

  Great car. Fun to drive. Good mileage compared to similar luxury sedans. Leather seats are firm and comfortable.

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  Saab 9-3 Aero w/ Manual Transmission - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Ben - March 11 - 12:26 pm

  If you like to drive slowly, then dont buy this car... just test drive it and you will understand what I mean. All my life the cars I have driven have to be at 5000 rpm or higher to enjoy any real power. This car gives you power at 2000 rpm through 5500 rpm. It is strong, fast, responsive. I get 28 miles per gallon (with 75% freeway driving and 25% city driving). If youre looking at the Saab 9-3 Aero, you are probably a very unique person who doesnt like to have what everyone else has, thats why I bought mine.

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  A true sports car - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By uncjaybird - March 11 - 10:00 am

  If you want a cool car thats fun to driver. the SAAB 9-3 is yours.

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  Great Value @ 60K Miles 9-3 Aero - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By John L - March 9 - 2:53 pm

  Just hit 60,000 miles on the 9-3 Aero after 2.5 years - bought new. Mostly highway miles in the desert heat. Just replaced brake pads at 57,000 miles - first time the brakes required any maintenance - be careful - no squealers to alert that your brakes need replacement. Coolant tank replaced twice. Only other problem - unable to start - dealer fixed a switch that had "popped open." Car is worth the money and is fun to drive - quick, comfortable and reliable. Getting 25 mpg on highway and about 22 mpg combined city and highway.

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  Saab 9.5 smooth driving and fast turbo - 2005 Saab 9-5
  By Susan C. - March 8 - 7:03 am

  You will love the turbo function.-front wheel drive gives great stiring options-smooth ride

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  1BDSAAB - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By SaabCO - March 8 - 4:50 am

  The car handles like a dream. Plenty of power and takes the mountain turns and hills like they are flat roads. Great gas mileage for a turbo. I average 30 MPG city and highway 50/50 split. Very reliable, dependable vehicle. Drives well in all conditions. I would not trade it for a Beemer/Benz/Audi. Every bit as nice as those cars but without the bloated price.

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  You want to buy a what? Accord? NO WAY!! - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By zfamily - March 6 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned this car 4 years and have put 120,000 on it. With a demanding travel schedule, I couldnt ask for a better and more comfortable ride. Ive had a few minor problems with computer screens going bad on the dash, which arent cheap to repair, by the way - but no major mechanical problems. When I wear this one out, Ill buy another one. Dont waste your time with an overrated and inferior Honda Accord or Camry, theres no comparison (for you die hard Honda Toyota fans). I also own an Accord, my 2nd one. The only reason its sitting in my drive way is because its a company car and I have to drive it. I cringe whenever I have to get behind the wheel

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  Jim - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By Jim - March 6 - 12:06 am

  Absolultely incredible vehicle. The drive/ride is superb; the handling is absolutely the BEST and the safety is above all others. The interior electronics are far superior to any vehicle in its class and all controls are within easy reach. We checked at least 10 other supposedly comparable brand-names before visiting Saab and we were convinced the Arc was THE BEST after 30 minutes of explanation on its safety features and a test drive.

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  Fun Ride! - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By yankercranker - March 2 - 9:30 am

  I have been very impressed with this vehicle. It has great looks with the top up or down. Not too windy/noisy inside with the top down and when it is up you would not know you were in a convertible. Inside lighting at night is compromised due to no ceiling lights. Back seat is only reasonable for kids but not "real size adults. Front seats provide nice leg room (I am 62"). Saabs attention to detail is impectably obvious in the instrumentation. They do need to develop a better wood trim option and DROP the metalic one-must be the GM influence. Bottom line this a great looking/performing vehicle while still maintaining the great ergonomics Saab is known for!

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  Best car I ever Owned - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By Guyod - March 2 - 2:00 am

  The car has a solid feel to it. This car loves to be driven fast. Its hard to say no. I only had the car for 6 months but I only brought it to the garage once because the brakes were squealing. Turns out nothing was wrong with the brakes but they did replace the SID display because lines were missing(Covered in warranty). I would smile every time i came up to my car in the parking lot or looked at it out my window. I regret wrecking it. Planning on getting a new one when i save the money.